As Muhammed Ali shows, sweating is a natural thing in life. Our bodies are wired to sweat in order to cool us down and release toxins and salts. However, it's only a welcomed situation (for the most part) when we work out. But during other parts of the day, it's annoying when we're at dinner, at work, or with friends or a loved one and all of a sudden, we're drippin' and stinkin'!
So what can we do when we want to stop sweating and not have smelly pits? Obviously, there are products out there, even prescription items, that can help with perspiration and body odor. Antiperspirants are great and help keep us dry and smelling nice throughout the day. Even prescription ones, like Certain-Dri and Drysol, are effective. And over the counter antiperspirants like Dove Clinical and Suave Clinical or Ammens Medicated Powder are strong and helpful. However, the important and kind of scarey thing to remember about antiperspirants is that the reason why they keep us so dry is because the contain aluminum-based compounds that act like a plug in our sweat ducts.
Because it blocks the sweat from reaching the skin's surface, some researchers believe that the aluminum can be absorbed into the skin and increase estrogen-like hormone cell growth near and in the breast tissue, also known as, increasing the risk of breast cancer. However, according to the National Cancer Institute (click here for more info), although much research and many studies have been done on this issue, they believe that more studies and researches need to be done in order to make a blatent statement about the idea that antiperspirants cause cancer.
For those who choose to take a more natural approach, deoderants are an alternative. Unlike antiperspirants, they do not contain aluminum-based compounds; however, some do contain parabens (preservatives-also found in some antiperspirants), and they have sometimes shown to mimic the role of estrogen in the body's cells as well (again, refer back to the National Cancer Institute website above).
With all that to say though, they are a better bet than antiperspirants if you are looking for a more natural approach. I know people who have thoroughly enjoyed using Toms deoderants and other products (go here to check out their goods), but still struggle with sweating. Another natural remedy that is taken orally, DeodeRite (click here for more interesting and helpful info!) helps the body detox so that the odor isn't so offensive.
A real and frustrating disorder that involves excessive sweating is known as Hyperhidrosis. The people who suffer from this disorder sometimes have to have prescribed antiperspirants, Botox injections in their armpits, and even surgery. For those who suffer from Hyperhidrosis click here for more info and help.
Now for my personal experiences with deoderants, antiperspirants, and all natural remedies and products.
I used to use antiperspirants, and I still do, slightly. What I have recently discovered is now that I drink more water (I try to squeeze in about 2-4 32oz (Nalgene) servings a day), I don't have as bad body odor as I used to.
This also may be due to the fact that it's because I do cardio 5-7 days a week for 30-45 minutes, and strength 2-3 days a week for 10-20 minutes, sweating out a ton of that water that I'm taking in, along with unwanted salts and toxins.
So if I'm going to work out, I never wear deoderant or antiperspirants because I know I am going to be sweating a lot (which is a really good thing when you're exercising; if you're not sweating that much during exercise, that could mean you're dehydrated), and my body needs to release all of those gross toxins and salts that can only be released through sweat. I just try to drink tons of water so at least I won't smell bad during my workouts. Now, if I'm going out on the town or something, sure I'll wear a tiny bit of antiperspirant. But rarely will I do this. I'm more prone to just put on some rose scented body powder and call it a day. I did use Toms for a while, and ended up having a burning and rash sensation in my under-arm area, so I've steered clear of those products.
To sum up, if you're wanting to go all natural and use just powder or baking soda, I recommend drinking way more water than you usually do. Sure you'll be making more trips to the restroom and may end up dripping a bit more during your workouts, but as a result that means your body will sweat out much of those toxins and salts that cause body odor in the first place, decreasing the smell and maybe even the daily, regular sweat problems.
I hope this helps!
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